WSB SPONSORS

Want to join Seal Sitters? Volunteer-training session added

(Photo by Robin Lindsey)
That’s “Palmer” the seal pup, nicknamed by a volunteer for Seal Sitters, which kept watch over the pup while it rested “nestled in the logs at the tideline” at Lincoln Park, according to Robin Lindsey, who adds that, “Our season has officially begun with this, our third pup – and many, many more on the way in September and October (the height of our season in the Seattle area).” Read more about Palmer here – and if you would like to help with keeping other pups safe this season, Seal Sitters has just scheduled one more volunteer-training session on August 25th, a 2-part session, as Robin explains:

ORIENTATION SESSION: The “lecture” part of the training (9:30-11:30) will begin promptly at 9:30 at Alki UCC Church (front meeting room), 6115 SW Hinds. We will briefly discuss the protocol and structure of both Seal Sitters and NOAA’s NW Marine Mammal Stranding Network. In this A/V presentation, you’ll learn basic biology of harbor seals and sea lions (the most common mammals the networks respond to) and roles and responsibilities of volunteers.

ON-THE-BEACH SESSION: At 11:30 we will leisurely make our way down to Alki Beach and the Statue of Liberty plaza (approximately 3 blocks away) for an on-the-beach session. Here you will learn how to handle the many unpredictable challenges of protecting marine mammals in urban environments – seal pups on crowded beaches, stairwells to the beach, close to a sea wall and promenade, and lastly the regulations regarding private property. This hands-on session will begin at noon and will last for approximately an hour.

There will be no other formal session this year due to time constraints on volunteers during the busy pupping season. Our season has officially begun with our first three pups on the beach and we fully expect another very crazy and wonderful seal pupping season in West Seattle again this year. We will do our best to assimilate a volunteer here and there during the season.

We hope to see you there! We suggest you bring a sandwich or snack for this session as it will be a longer than usual day. If you cannot make both sessions on Saturday, we strongly recommend that you make one of them. If you can only make the on-the-beach training we suggest you be at Statue of Liberty at 11:45. Please rsvp – sealsitters@me.com – so that we know how many chairs to request.

Bless this little creature and all those who attempt to assist him and other seal pups that “haul out” in the coming months. As a dog owner/lover, I am disappointed by the consistent irresponsible/illegal behavior of so many other dog owners in Seattle, whether it pertains to this specific circumstance, or merely to the common courtesy of picking up after their pets. As with most things in life, the few spoil things for the many.